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Travel and Housing Assistance

The following resources provide low or no-cost medical travel and housing assistance to patients and families or offer financial assistance related to travel, as well as housing near your treatment facilities. These services can be used when the medical facility is located a distance away from the patient's home. Depending on availability, patients may use these services to seek out second opinions or to participate in clinical trials.

Please be aware that most of these flights listed use smaller, unpressurized airplanes, so a physician’s release is necessary and alternate travel plans should be made in case of inclement weather. Unfortunately, these services cannot be used to transport relatives to visit an ill family member.

Angel Wheels to Healing utilizes the following resources for assisting patients: Gas cards to help off-set fuel cost for patients, commercial ground transportation (AMTRAK, Greyhound, Trailways, etc.) and volunteer drivers although please note - they only have 85 drivers throughout the continental US.

Financial assistance for transportation associated with medical treatment may be available at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. When you call the national office telephone number, you will be referred to the local program director at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The local program director will help locate financial assistance for transportation to medical treatment, if funds are available.

Mission4Maureen is dedicated to providing financial assistance to families who are burdened with the staggering cost of brain cancer treatment. Financial aid is available transportation and other areas of assistance. An application with supporting documentation is required.

RAI is focused on providing financial assistance to young adult patients battling cancer. Patients need to have been diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 39 and must be undergoing or actively pursuing clinical trial treatment options.

Provide various grants to young adult survivors, ages 18-35, to help supplement the money that they and their families have lost during treatment, and pay for specific transitional issues, such as car insurance, public transportation costs, as well as transportation costs associated with job interviews and school interviews.

In addition. . .

Many airlines offer bereavement fares to those traveling for funerals. Passengers must purchase tickets at regular fare, and then will receive a partial reimbursement upon verification of death, i.e., obituary or death certificate.

For local transportation assistance, try your local American Cancer Society, Catholic Charities, Area Agency on Aging or United Way office. Many divisions have volunteers that provide transportation assistance or reimbursement.

Hospitals may provide cab or bus vouchers for patients. Or offer van services for outpatients. Contact the social worker at your treatment facility to ask if these programs exist there.

Check with local park districts, city offices or transit authority to see if they have vans or medi-cars available at low or no cost.

Many nationwide car rental companies offer cars with hand controls, some may also have vans with wheelchair lifts. Locations require advance reservations for vehicles with these options.

Free Gas USA, Inc.www.freegasusa.orgA nationwide non-profit assistance program for low-income people having trouble paying for gasoline. Applications can be made for gas grant cards that range in value from $50 to $1200, depending on need and circumstances. In order to be eligible for a gas card a person's yearly income must be at or below the "very low limit" category as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. An income calculator is available at the website. Applications are only available online, must be substantiated by a human service agency, and must be accompanied by a $3 non-refundable cashier check or money order. Applicants must be residents of the United States.

May be able to arrange a low cost hotel room for those receiving cancer treatments. This program is offered on an availability basis. Contact the local American Cancer Society office, listed in the telephone directory, for details.

Financial assistance for transportation associated with medical treatment may be available at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. When you call the national office telephone number, you will be referred to the local program director at a local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The local program director will help locate financial assistance for transportation, if funds are available.

RMH are situated near many larger hospitals throughout the country and abroad and offer low cost accommodations. A social worker can make a referral to the nearest RMH or you can search for locations on their website. Click “Find a Local Chapter” at the top of

the page.

Surviving and Moving Forward: The SAMFund for Young Adult Survivors of Cancer

Provide various grants to young adult survivors, ages 17-35, to help supplement the money that they and their families have lost during treatment, and pay for specific housing issues, such as moving expenses, rent and utility assistance.

YMCA or YWCA

Check local phone directories for area listings. Many offer low rates for overnight accommodations.

Many hospitals negotiate discount rates at local hotels or short-term rental units, and some may also offer dormitory-type lodging. Check with the social worker at your treatment facility for a referral.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice and does not provide advice on treatments or conditions for individual patients. All health and treatment decisions must be made in consultation with your physician (s), utilizing your specific medical information. The American Brain Tumor Association does not endorse any of the organizations listed or guarantee that individuals will qualify for the services they provide. Please contact each organization for their specific guidelines.